Take it All (Blinded by Love) (20 page)

He looked over at her and saw the seriousness, not just on her face but in her eyes as well. “Whatever you ask, Lox, I’ll tell you,” he promised, looking her in the eyes.

“Well,” she started, biting her lip as her stomach filled with nausea, “it’s about earlier.”

“Gotta be more specific, a lot happened earlier.”

“With Emerson, when he came in the door, he said something about dope... your dope.”

“What’s the question, Lennox,” he said, his voice tight and unwavering as his hand stayed firm in hers.

“I don’t know, I guess... what I’m asking is, do you do it or something?” she asked unsure, feeling like an idiot and extremely nervous.

Caleb’s jaw clenched as he stared ahead, his eyes not coming off the road. “Lennox,” he started, pausing as his head turned away from her and he looked out his window, “if I told you I smoked dope, here and there, what would you say?” he asked softly, his stomach tightening with worry.

Lennox looked at the car in front of them and answered in an instant, “It’s dope,” she shrugged her shoulders, “doesn’t bother me as long as you don’t expect me to smoke it with you.”

Caleb looked at her with nothing but incredulity. “I’d never want you to do something like that if you didn’t want to, Lox, not ever. But, you sure?” he questioned.

“I’m sure,” she paused, resting her head on the head rest and turning to look at him, “do you sell it as well?”

Caleb nodded. “Yeah, sometimes,” he said, dryly.

“Okay.”

Caleb felt relieved. He had thought about her on and off all night at the party, more than he wanted to. He didn’t like thinking about her while he was there, but he couldn’t help it. It became harder to forget her as the night went on. At one point during the night, he was ready to just say fuck it and grab the first willing girl, take her upstairs and fuck her until thoughts of Lennox finally dissolved and he didn’t have to think about her anymore; those thoughts didn’t last long before he was distracting himself in a completely different way.

He had got her message later in the night and had listened to it at least ten times, each time leaving him feeling like a bigger asshole than the time before. Walking home from the party he had decided to forget about Lennox, concluding she deserved someone better than him and that being brought into his crap wasn’t fair to her and only selfish on his part. He was set on never contacting her again and going on with his life but then he walked into his dark, empty house, alone. And that’s when it struck him that it wasn’t what he wanted, and the thought of not seeing her again evaporated the shit in his system making him think more clearly.

It had been four thirty when he walked into his place, and he sat on his couch going back and forth until he knew what he wanted, until he came to the conclusion that he was holding back in fear. Fear that Lennox would learn of his life and be horrified and that would be the end of them. Fear that, the look she had in her eyes when they first had coffee, would disappear and he would become nothing to her. He didn’t know how she would react, yet he made a decision based on nothing but the vile voices in his head telling him he didn’t deserve someone pure and innocent like her. The clock on his satellite box read six thirty in the morning and he hadn’t closed his eyes for sleep since Friday night. He shook the cobwebs from his mind and tuned the foul voice out unable to think about it anymore. His mind had changed, and he knew he had to follow through, he had to see if what Emerson had said about Lennox, being all that he needed, was true. So he showered then turned on the television for a bit until he finally picked up his phone and called her.

“It’s just dope, right Caleb?” Lennox asked, looking at him.

He nodded his head up and down, not looking at her. “Okay, I can deal with dope,” she said.

He peeked over at her and his jaw tightened, knowing what he was about to say would come back to haunt him. “Yeah, baby, just dope,” he said, hoping she couldn’t see the lie written across his face and in his eyes.

Lennox spent the next morning telling Londyn and Tatum all about her day with Caleb, but leaving out the part about the dope. Even though it wasn’t a big deal to her, she knew both her friends would frown upon it, especially Londyn, who was as anti-drugs as they came, that even her drinking alcohol was a surprise. They were happy for her to hear it had gone so well and both were anxious to meet the guy from her childhood who was back in her life. It wasn’t long after their conversation when Caleb’s car pulled up in front of the gas station and he and Emerson got out and walked in.

“Hey baby,” Caleb said, as he walked up to the counter and leaned across to kiss her cheek.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were stopping by,” she said, smiling. “Hey Emerson.”

“Hey, Lennox, how’s it goin’?” he asked, leaning against the counter next to Caleb.

“Better now,” she grinned. “What’re you guys doing here?”

“Boss needed some parts delivered to the dealership out here,” he smirked. “I volunteered Em and I.”

“How come he’s driving your car?”she asked, noting she saw Emerson get out of the driver’s side.

“Didn’t sleep well; my dreams were invaded by a beautiful blonde with these amazing gold eyes, plus he didn’t want to die in a fiery car crash if I were to fall asleep at the wheel,” he joked, looking at Emerson with a look that didn’t go missed by Lennox.

“Yeah, that sums it up,” Emerson commented. “Wouldn’t want
this
body burned to a crisp.” He gestured with his hand down his body.

“Wouldn’t want that,” Lennox heard Tatum say as Londyn laughed.

“Oh, Tatum, Londyn, this is Caleb,” she tilted her head in his direction, “Caleb these are my best friends, Tatum and Londyn.”

“Ladies, nice to meet you,” he smiled.

“You too, we’ve heard a lot about you,” Londyn said, smiling.

“Yeah, and who’s your friend?” Tatum said, eyeing Emerson up and down, like she wanted to rip his clothes off right then and there.

“This is a stray dog. Found him on my way back to Alberta; he just looked so cute along the side of the road that I couldn’t leave him behind,” Caleb answered, laughing, thinking he was funny.

Lennox looked at him with her brows knitted together, not laughing or finding it funny and turned to see Emerson looking at him, shaking his head. “This is Emerson, Caleb’s friend,” Lennox said, eyeing Caleb, “and roommate.”

Lennox watched Caleb as he stood in front of the counter, his head bopping around as he watched Emerson talk to Londyn and Tatum. “So, this is the place your parents own?”

“Yep, this would be it.”

He looked around, moving his head, “It’s nice; I need an energy drink.” He pushed away from the counter and walked to the coolers on the side of the store.

Lennox watched him walk; something seemed off about him, something she couldn’t place. He didn’t seem like he was himself; there was a vibe she was getting and she wasn’t sure if it was because he was tired or if there was something bothering him. “Hey, Emerson, he okay?” she said, her eyes not moving off Caleb’s back.

Emerson followed her gaze and when he didn’t say anything she looked at him and she watched his jaw clench, the muscle on the side twitching. His arms crossed over his broad chest, the muscles in each arm potent and defined. She hadn’t really looked at him until that moment; he was taller than Caleb, and his shoulders were a little bit wider as were his arms. His hair was like Caleb’s but maybe half an inch shorter and lighter, and his eyes were hazel with shimmering gold flecks. Like Caleb, he wore his work coveralls, with the top half hanging down with a plain white tee that was full of grease stains.

“He’ll be fine once he gets some sleep tonight,” he muttered, turning to Lennox with a weak smile that had sorry written all over it.

Before Lennox could say a word the front door chimed signalling someone had walked in. She turned and silently cursed under her breath as Raine walked in, sliding his sunglasses up and on top of his head, looking at her with a grin plastered on his face as he walked to the counter. “What’s up buttercup?” he said, with a cocky grin.

“Not much,
bro
, what’re you up to?” she asked, nervous seeing Caleb crane his neck upon hearing Raine’s greeting.

“On my lunch break, thought I’d stop in and say hey, see how your V day date went.”

“Well, if it isn’t my knight in shining armour. Where’s your white horse?” Tatum cut in as she leaned her hip against the counter, facing him.

Raine turned his head and looked at her, his brows peeked, “He’s off saving another highly intoxicated female who is too drunk to move her feet,” he said, with an airy smile as sarcasm laced his words.

Londyn and Lennox glanced at one another and burst out laughing. “Well, aren’t you a charmer, remind me not to– wait, did we already, you know?”

Grinning, Raine dipped his head until his mouth was next to her ear and loudly so anyone near could hear, said, “Believe me, Tate, if we did, there’d be no fucking way you’d be able to forget it. You’d feel it for days sweetheart.”

Tatum didn’t say a word, she only looked at him with her mouth gaped open trying to process what he said to her. He looked over her face then smiled smugly, “That’s what I thought.”

“I,” she said, her voice cracking, “I um... I’m going to get... one of those hot things, I mean beverage, hot beverage– over there.” She stumbled over her words then quickly turned, looking at Londyn and signalled for her to follow.

Londyn started, but stopped next to Raine and patted his firm bicep, “Oh, I think you and I will get along just fine,” she chuckled then continued over to where Tatum was at the coffee station.

Raine’s chest heaved as he looked back at Lennox who was shaking her head. “What, I know her type. I’ve dated her crazy ass type; they think they have the upper hand and can have any guy eating outta their hands. Just had to show her I’m not one of them,” he told her, shrugging his shoulders.

“It was pretty funny; I’ve known Tatum for years and I’ve never seen her rendered speechless, so kudos to you muchacha.”

“I’m not even going to touch on that,” he laughed, “anyways, I have a date tonight, but wanna grab some java tomorrow?”

Laughing she said, “Really? Java?” her laugh continued until it finally died on her lips, “Who’s the lucky chappy?”

Shaking his head in amusement, he said, “You’re so weird, I feel for this Caleb guy. But her names Courtney, met her last night. She happens to hates V day too, so what do you know, eh.”

Lennox’s eyes bugged out as she made a face, “Hey, I’m not weird,” she exclaimed, “shut it or I’ll give him the green light to kick your ass, and if you met her last night, of all nights, then it’s no surprise she hates it as well.”

“Who hates what?” They both turned to see that Caleb and Emerson had walked up to the counter and placed two cans down.

Lennox looked at Caleb and noticed his face looked tight as he looked between her and Raine, his eyes lingering on Raine longer then they should. Trying to ignore the way Caleb was acting and looking at him, she said, “Oh, Courtney his date tonight. He met her last night and they both hate Valentine’s Day. So I was just telling
Raine
it’s not surprising that they met last night.”

Lennox hoped by saying Raine’s name that it would trigger something in Caleb. Recognition swept across his face as it slowly faltered, “So
you’re
Raine,” he said, sticking his hand out, “I’m Caleb, Lennox’s boyfriend.”

Lennox couldn’t help but smile at hearing Caleb say he was her boyfriend. Butterflies filled her stomach as she had a small freak out in her head over the fact it was official. He said boyfriend and that meant it was official, they were together, and she wouldn’t have to panic when she introduced him to someone. Lennox watched the two shake hands then Caleb introduced him to Emerson, who had been distracted looking back at Tatum and Londyn, his stare intently on one of them. Lennox found it interesting and thoughts of setting him up with Tatum formed in her mind. Her attention turned back to the guys who were talking about what they did for work and how long they’d been doing it for.

Lennox listened as Raine told them about the construction company he worked for. He was the guy who put up the drywall; it was because of his father’s business that he moved to Spruce Hill when they got a large contract for a new hotel being built in the city. Emerson and Caleb listened then told him about their mechanic job at a dealership on the south side. It was then she found out about the shop Emerson wanted to open up one day; a garage of his own, one he hoped to run with Caleb by his side. It had been their plan to do so when they moved back to Alberta.

The phone ringing took Lennox away from their conversation and she reached beside the till and grabbed the phone, answering, “Ward’s Gas ‘n’ Go, Lennox speaking.” All three guys turned and looked at her with a grin on their faces. She rolled her eyes and turned her back to them as her dad’s voice came over the line.

“Hey Chuck, how’s things?”

“Oh, hi dad, things are good I guess. It was busy but its slowed down a bit.”

“Yeah that’s normal for around this time, give it ten and the lunch rush will be in. Listen, talked to your mom this morning on the way to our meeting,” he said, his voice not changing or giving her anything to go off.